Facebook and Care Homes.

The residents will have had to be asked for permission to have photographs taken so why worry yourself?! Some people I know who are in care homes relish in taking part in activities that are then posted on FB etc.

This alarms me! Care homes often shelter people who aren't in a fit state to consent to publicity.

Primrose53

I am glad I am not the only one concerned about this.

A good care home would never post photos of residents on social media without their permission.

There is a very posh newly opened home in our nearest home which looks like a hotel and charges about £1500 a week. Just last week they posted photos of some residents all dressed up and wearing bright pink wigs as they were involved in some sort of rock and roll event. I found it really creepy and would not have been happy if my late Mum had been photographed like that.

But your mum might have been enjoying herself and happy for the photograph to be used. As long as she had capacity it would have been her choice not yours.

theworriedwell

Primrose53

I am glad I am not the only one concerned about this.

A good care home would never post photos of residents on social media without their permission.

There is a very posh newly opened home in our nearest home which looks like a hotel and charges about £1500 a week. Just last week they posted photos of some residents all dressed up and wearing bright pink wigs as they were involved in some sort of rock and roll event. I found it really creepy and would not have been happy if my late Mum had been photographed like that.

But your mum might have been enjoying herself and happy for the photograph to be used. As long as she had capacity it would have been her choice not yours.

But it's more nuanced than the resident's "having the capacity".
The care home is in a position of power over the resident , and must never coerce the resident in any way, nor seem to do so.

Caleo

This alarms me! Care homes often shelter people who aren't in a fit state to consent to publicity.

Easy enough - their relatives then give (or withhold) consent on their behalf. No big deal.

I would have known well enough to know that my father wouldnt be bothered on the one hand but it would be more than their life was worth to try taking a photo of my mother on the other hand. So consent would have been given or withheld accordingly - without me even needing to ask them what their wishes would be (as I would be so well aware anyway).

I too love seeing my mum on the care home Facebook page. I can see that she is joining in and enjoying herself. All the things she says she doesn’t do!!
The staff there are amazing and put on shows for everyone’s birthday with dancing and music and make the most fantastic personalised birthday cakes.

Why do so many here assume that these photos were posted without consent? There are laws around data protection and care homes could get into serious trouble, having to pay fees in the thousands, if they breach them. Mistakes may happen, but those are the exception to the rule. Consent is given either by the resident or, if they lack capacity, their power of attorney. Plenty of people are happy for their photos to be taken. There's no need for the staff to coerce anyone, and they have better things to do.

Galaxy

But we don't know they haven't given their permission?
I hate having my photo taken so would have said no but others feel differently.
I would be surprised if permission hadn't been asked for possibly I am naive.

Both residents and family would have been asked for permission I should hope.

I think it is to try a dispel the myths surrounding care homes going back many years, don't forget most people who are in care homes now are were teenagers in the 50/60 , they rocked and rolled listened to Elvis and the Beatles and the Rolling stones. They can still have a good time why should it upset other people who might know them? I love looking at the photos of the care home my mother was in on FB and have told my DD I want a room there in a few years.

Carehomes would have to be crazy not to be aware of GDP and documented permission. However, they may have permission of family or whoever acts on behalf of someone with dementia etc. My husband hates the idea of his photo being put on Facebook etc and would not have given permission for his Mum when she was in care. Its wise, as with so many things, to make sure you make it clear to your family while you have capacity if you would object to such things. I have worked in elderly care and have seen family's agree to ' mum's having her hair done once a week by a hairdresser who only seems to be able to do a Queen Elizabeth shampoo and set to ladies who would never have chosen that previously.

theworriedwell

Primrose53

I am glad I am not the only one concerned about this.

A good care home would never post photos of residents on social media without their permission.

There is a very posh newly opened home in our nearest home which looks like a hotel and charges about £1500 a week. Just last week they posted photos of some residents all dressed up and wearing bright pink wigs as they were involved in some sort of rock and roll event. I found it really creepy and would not have been happy if my late Mum had been photographed like that.

But your mum might have been enjoying herself and happy for the photograph to be used. As long as she had capacity it would have been her choice not yours.

Try re reading posts. Did I say it was my choice?
Stop nit picking.

Oreo

Galaxy

But we don't know they haven't given their permission?
I hate having my photo taken so would have said no but others feel differently.
I would be surprised if permission hadn't been asked for possibly I am naive.

Both residents and family would have been asked for permission I should hope.

Glad you popped on Oreo.

I think it is always useful to remember 'residents' have their own voice and transparency from care providers is good, not bad

There is a residential care home near me that posts on facebook. I imagine it also brings in revenue for the residents

and before I'm asked, outside people offer services for free, make donations etc

as long as it's all consented to, I don't have a problem tbh

Block them! Have they got permission to show the residents?
I would feel very uncomfortable at seeing this intrusion into their lives!
Not acceptable to publish on social media

Primrose you said you wouldn't be happy, I was just pointing out that how you would feel would be irrelevant if your mother had capacity and consented. Adults with capacity have a right to make their own decisions.

JaneJudge

and before I'm asked, outside people offer services for free, make donations etc

as long as it's all consented to, I don't have a problem tbh

Exactly. Lots of infantalising of elderly people going on.

theworriedwell

Primrose you said you wouldn't be happy, I was just pointing out that how you would feel would be irrelevant if your mother had capacity and consented. Adults with capacity have a right to make their own decisions.

I agree and it'snot just elderly people 'in homes'

I always have tried to remind myself that my own daughter in care who doesn't have mental capacity STILL has the right to make her own choices. I know it's difficult for families though.

People in care shouldn't be hidden away anyway but there are not enough hours in the day for this discussion

Caleo

This alarms me! Care homes often shelter people who aren't in a fit state to consent to publicity.

Fit state??? if they do not have capacity the family will have given consent knowing what their loved ones would have agreed to or not. It is common practice these days and I personally think is a really good thing. Community awareness is everything, care homes are normal life these days. 1 in 5 of us over 80 will be there one day.

I hate these. I think they are degrading and embarrasing. I also wonder if they have the capacity to consent to this beeing posted. I do not find them cute,funny or anything else in fact the complete opposite.

I find it appalling that these pictures are posted on social media. By all means have the pictures available for family and friends but not for the wider public. I used to run residential care homes and would have considered this an infringement of the person's dignity and privacy. Of course my career was prior to the widespread use of social media etc so my views may be considered old fashioned. If I lived in one of these care homes I most certainly would not want my life displayed in this way.

sodapop

I find it appalling that these pictures are posted on social media. By all means have the pictures available for family and friends but not for the wider public. I used to run residential care homes and would have considered this an infringement of the person's dignity and privacy. Of course my career was prior to the widespread use of social media etc so my views may be considered old fashioned. If I lived in one of these care homes I most certainly would not want my life displayed in this way.

They wouldn't use your photo if you didn't give consent but don't see why that should mean others can't give consent if it is what they want.

sodapop

I find it appalling that these pictures are posted on social media. By all means have the pictures available for family and friends but not for the wider public. I used to run residential care homes and would have considered this an infringement of the person's dignity and privacy. Of course my career was prior to the widespread use of social media etc so my views may be considered old fashioned. If I lived in one of these care homes I most certainly would not want my life displayed in this way.

I understand this, but lots of people don’t mind, I see no issue whatsoever UNLESS 1) it’s a safeguarding issue and 2) consent has been given.

The world we grew up in isn’t the one on which we now live.

There’s a dark and a good side to all online activity, it’s up to all of us to ensure safeguarding is always at the forefront of everything, from our children to our parents and any vulnerable people we might know.

* consent has NOT been given Grrrr Edit button PLEASE!

Mojack26
sodapop

I can't see what is so undignified, degrading or embarrassing about being seen in public as an old/frail person. Why should they be hidden away like they are an embarrassment to their family or society in general? I'm happy for every single person who is having a good time in a care home and wants to show it to the world.